Injuries, absences might change Opening Day plans
SAN FRANCISCO » With seven days remaining until the Giants open the 2020 season against the Dodgers, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler are still determining which 30 players will travel to Los Angeles.
Roster decisions are made more complicated by uncertainty regarding the availability of several players who initially figured to have prominent roles with the club this season.
As projected starters such as Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence nurse injuries, we examined the likelihood some players who have missed time due to injuries or unexplained absences will be ready for the season-opening series.
Brandon Belt
INJURY » Right heel soreness
PROGNOSIS » Belt spent much of the last week in a walking boot, but took batting practice in the cages at Oracle Park on Tuesday and could begin mixing into live batting practices soon.
Hunter Pence
INJURY » Right foot soreness PROGNOSIS » Pence has looked comfortable in the batter’s box in modified games at Oracle Park over the last week, but the Giants haven’t had him running the bases. It’s uncertain when he’ll be expected to start running and still unclear when he’ll be able to play the outfield, so it’s not a stretch to think he could be left off the Opening Day roster and given time to heal.
Tony Watson
INJURY » Shoulder tightness PROGNOSIS » The Giants haven’t provided many details on Watson’s injury status, but he didn’t start summer camp on the same schedule as other pitchers on staff. Kapler said the medical staff recommended a “slow ramp-up” for the regular season for the veteran left-hander, but he has yet to pitch in an intrasquad game.
Jarlín García
ABSENCE » Medical reasons PROGNOSIS » The Giants were light on details when they placed the former Marlins left-hander on the 10day injured list for “undisclosed medical reasons,” but Kapler said Tuesday the club expected García to begin practicing again Wednesday.
Billy Hamilton
ABSENCE » Medical reasons PROGNOSIS » There’s no timetable for Hamilton’s return and at this point, it would be tough to expect the light-hitting center fielder to get his swing ready for Opening Day.
Luís Madero
ABSENCE » COVID-19 positive test
PROGNOSIS » It’s unclear when Madero will return, but the Giants loved his work in spring training and think his two-seam fastball is much improved from a year ago.
It was unlikely the 23-year-old would have carved out a role in the Opening Day bullpen, but it’s possible he’ll play a role with the big-league club later on in the summer if and when he’s healthy enough to pitch.